THE 
June 13, 2008 Say What? Japan Has A Waistline Limit!
Take me higher lord! Japan has done it now! There is now a waistline limit being enforced – 33.5 inches for men and 35.4 for women.
To reach its goals of shrinking the overweight population by 10 percent over the next four years and 25 percent over the next seven years, the government will impose financial penalties on companies and local governments that fail to meet specific targets. The country’s Ministry of Health argues that the campaign will keep the spread of diseases like diabetes and strokes in check.
I understand that Japan is not a country known for overweight people and they are trying to keep it that way, but the government does not have the right to determine how much a person should eat or how wide a person can get. If the citizens are paying their taxes and paying for their food, then they should be able to decide the size of their waistline. Thoughts?
Tiff B
June 13, 2008 at 10:17 am
Interesting….but what about Sumo Wrestlers?
babyboy609
June 13, 2008 at 11:18 am
I actually don’t think it’s a bad idea… some people need limits or they will eat themselves to early death.
mrsFAB
June 13, 2008 at 12:31 pm
Oh my, if they had that “law” in the U.S. then we’re in trouble!
Nik
June 13, 2008 at 1:03 pm
well its about time …and its only a matter of time before they start doing it in other countries….and send the extra food to countries who actually need it.
Vince769
June 13, 2008 at 2:20 pm
According to this article, the women in Japan have bigger waitlines than the men…as far as I know, the women in this country like their men a little bigger, not the other way around.
Kay
June 13, 2008 at 6:41 pm
That’s insane. As long as your healthy it shouldn’t matter how big your waistline is.
Genesis
June 13, 2008 at 7:19 pm
I don’t totally agree with Japan, because they pay taxes, but all things considered being “Big” isn’t healthy and it never will be. People aren’t designed to carry that much weight on their bodies. Also Japan is looking at the long trem cst, less medical bills, more producive citizens and a larger population… wait they might need to reconsider
Yumi
June 13, 2008 at 9:33 pm
I’m 5′4, 130lbs but I cannot find my clothes in Japan! I know I’m not big in States but I’m big here. I don’t want my goverment tell me waist limit…it doesn’t mean you’re not healthy if you have big stomach. They should have another way to tell poeple stay healthy.
Raya
June 14, 2008 at 1:00 am
Wow, the waistline limit sounds harsh but then in the U.S. the airlines can charge heavy people for 2 seats.
It is true a large waistline is not good for a person but this seems to be overstepping the line of what a government can do.
And Yumi I feel your pain. I am the same build as you and I live in Japan too
I think we are considered bigger women here!
Trish
June 14, 2008 at 5:46 am
What’s up with Japan?
Why is their suicide rate one of the highest in the world? This waistline nonsense could onset more detergent-suicides.
I think they keep imposing unrealistic expectations on their citizens and they’re stressing people out.
All they should do is INFORM people of the health risks related to obesity.
Enforcing a waistline limit is obnoxious!
yu_wi_in_JP
June 17, 2008 at 3:12 am
I think “the size” is not a matter…..but once you live in jp, you would start worrying about “the size”!!!! I am 100% Japanese living in Tokyo, so I know what it is…..
(
When I was in the states, nobody told me that I have to lose weight, but back in JP, many people told me to do it!!! It is very hard for fat, chubby people to live in Japan. I understand that we all should think about “health” seriously, but I really wanna say this to Japanese goverment, “Leave me alone!!!!!!!!”
miss
July 30, 2008 at 7:53 am
then i guess 40% of the japanese peepz will be summo wrestlers just to keep them eating! and then there will be female summo wrestlers too who will make it to the champ because they are bigger than men… hehehe!^^,
actually, i’ve been here in japan for two months now, but i don’t really see (should i say) “fat” natives…
Anonymous
February 8, 2009 at 5:48 am
I don’t think japan should impose that kind of law. Isn’t being out of place enough? Its like double jeopardy, not only you are the only one of the few who has a big waist line but you also have to pay for it. And besides if they impose that rule, japan should also offer solutions such as free gym or something to those who are fat hereditarily.
nosophist
June 19, 2009 at 3:16 pm
Hmm. Well, let’s see. How is healthcare paid for in Japan? According to the article in Wikipedia, 80% of the cost of healthcare is born by the national government–read, taxpayers. Well, if you’re going to accept someone else paying for your healthcare, I guess you really can’t complain if they tell you how to live to keep healthcare costs down, can you? “Freedom isn’t free” has multiple meanings: in this case, if you want the freedom to live as you choose, then the cost is that you pay for your own healthcare–no “insurance” for you. Another way to look at it: “Free” healthcare will cost you some freedom.
There’s a lesson in that for the US. Question is, are we paying attention?